Monthly Archives: November 2014

Beggs highlights loss of Services from Moyle Hospital, Larne

Ulster Unionist Party representative for East Antrim, Roy Beggs MLA has raised concerns about the re-location of further specialist services away from the Moyle Hospital site, Larne. Roy Beggs MLA who had been approached by a constituent about the further loss of outpatient services from Larne said, “There seems to be a continual loss of local services from the Moyle Hospital site.  This is resulting in many patients having to travel further.  The Health Ministers’ flagship policy, Transforming Your Care was supposed to be about providing more appropriate services locally.  However, in the case of the Moyle Hospital, a number of outpatient services have been reduced and instead, patients are having travel further. Roy Beggs MLA asked the Minister “to detail the outpatient specialities for which consultations are currently held at Moyle Hospital, Larne; and the reasons why any specialities have ceased since 2011”. Responding to the East Antrim UUP … Continue reading

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MLA’s fears over loss of services at Larne’s Moyle Hospital

East Antrim MLA Roy Beggs has raised concerns over the relocation of specialist services from Larne’s Moyle Hospital. The Ulster Unionist representative said there seemed to be a “continual loss” of local services from the local site, resulting in many patients having to travel further. He added: “The Health Minister’s flagship policy, Transforming Your Care was supposed to be about providing more appropriate services locally. However, in the case of the Moyle Hospital, a number of outpatient services have been reduced and instead, patients are having travel further.” Mr Beggs asked the Minister to detail the outpatient specialities for which consultations are currently held at Moyle Hospital, and the reasons why any specialities have ceased. The Minister responded that four consultant-led services have been relocated from the Moyle site since 2011. Earlier this year, the dermatology clinic was relocated to Antrim, and the Minister has now confirmed that the move … Continue reading

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Drill plan clause by NI Water

NI Water is to include a “no fracking clause” at the exploratory borehole site at Woodburn Forest on the outskirts of Carrickfergus. The project by oil and gas exploration firm InfraStrata has led to concerns being expressed by environmental lobby groups about the potential for contamination of groundwater during the drilling. However, East Antrim MLA Roy Beggs, who attended a recent public information session held by the company about the plans, has welcomed confirmation of the clause by Regional Development Minister Danny Kennedy. Mr Beggs said: “I met with NI Water and expressed my concern at potential risks to the Woodburn reservoirs and the public water supply from oil exploration and the potential for future fracking. This is particularly relevant given that test drilling is taking place within a water catchment area. “I subsequently wrote to Minister Kennedy last month outlining my concerns at the potential for future fracking at … Continue reading

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Data gathering well to be drilled at Islandmagee

Test drilling is set to take place in Islandmagee next year as plans to construct a natural gas storage facility continue to progress. The £400m project will see the creation of huge underground caverns carved from prehistoric salt deposits a mile under Larne Lough. The next stage of the scheme will see developer Islandmagee Storage Limited (IMSL) drill a data gathering well from the already-constructed wellpad site off the Ballylumford Road. This will allow the company to obtain cores of Permian salt for testing and analysis. Anita Gardiner, Director of Islandmagee Storage said: “The findings from the analysis will allow Islandmagee Storage to complete the design of the caverns. “It is hoped that the drilling of this data gathering well can be undertaken in spring 2015.” IMSL held two information events last week – one in Islandmagee and one in Glynn – where members of the public could drop in … Continue reading

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15000 Christmas lights out

Minister’s safety concerns after streets left in darkness Danny Kennedy said budget cuts had forced his department to suspend the use of external contractors to carry out street light repairs By Noel McAdam – 19 November 2014 Almost 15,000 street lights are now out across Northern Ireland, the Assembly has heard. The total is up by more than 4,000 on last month – and the minister responsible said he could not predict how many lights will be out by the Christmas/New Year holidays. As the winter evenings darken, Regional Development (DRD) Minister Danny Kennedy also revealed, however, that around 5,000 lights which went out over the last three months have been repaired. MLAs also heard allegations that DRD workers have been taking working bulbs from some areas to other locations in darkness. SDLP MLA Joe Byrne said: “There is some concern that sometimes DRD people take bulbs from areas where … Continue reading

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